This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- Hirosaki has many attractions, such as the thousands of ancient cherry trees,
- surrounding the castle and is Japan’s biggest apple producer.
- There are about 50 apple-pie restaurants.
- Hirosaki grew up around its castle, protected by Shinto Shrines to the north and Buddhism temples to the south-west.
- Come with me and I'll share my extensive knowledge about the city and make this a memorable experience!
- 10:30
- Meet up at lobby, the Hotel Aomori
- We will initially meet at the Hotel Aomori
- then we will take the JR train from Aomori station to Hirosaki station.
- 11:22 Leave Aomori station to Hirosaki station.
- 12:01 Arrive at Hirosaki station.
- Move to Hirosaki castle by taxi.
- Via Saishoin temple housing the five-storied pagpda.
- 13:00 Hirosaki Castle Park
- Completed in 1611, the castle was occupied by generations of the Tsugaru clan. The castle keep was rebuilt in 1810 and has now been turned into a small historical museum.
- It dominates the 121-acre / 49ha public park, which is very famous throughout Japan for the flowering of its 2,600 cherry trees, from the end of April to mid-May.
- 14:30 Neputa – Mura Village
- Let's experience Hirosaki's unique summer time festival within the Neputa-Mura Village!
- Here you will see:
- Neputa Float: Containing some of the highly decorative festival floats with illuminated screens or gigantic fans used during the Famous Hirosaki festival, the Neputa Matsuri Festival.
- Did you know that the word neputa derives from nepute or “drowsiness” in the
- local dialect? This allegedly refers to the farmer’s custom of placing giant lanterns along the riverbank in order to keep them awake when they were returning home from a hard days work.
- The museum also offers free live performances featuring:
- ● Shamisen: Japanese traditional 3 stringed musical guitar.
- ● Neputa Festival Music where you can try hitting the gigantic drums
- ●Lunch and Shopping: Ramen and others (Aomori Ramen-dried sardine-based soup, Sushi, Tempura (Mountain vegetables).
- ●Aomori Specialties (varieties of crafts, cake and others)
- ●Workshops: wooden dolls, pottery, locale ware.
- 15:30 Move to Hirosaki station by taxi. We will take the taxi to Hirosaki station.
- 16:16 Leave Hirosaki station to Aomori station by train.
- 17:04 Arrive in Aomori station.
What Is a Private Sakura Tour of Hirosaki in Aomori Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from Oceania. Wishing above all to see Japan's cherry blossoms, they traveled directly from Tokyo to Aomori. The flight time to Tokyo was about seven hours.
At Saishoin Temple, seeing the blooming weeping cherry trees, the five-story pagoda, and the wisteria trellis just beginning to bloom, they exclaimed, "Excellent!" Saishoin Temple is an ideal place to explain Shinto and Buddhism.
How about soba for lunch? "What is soba?" they asked. At a long-established restaurant near the entrance of Hirosaki Park, they enjoyed "hot sake with tempura soba" and declared it "Very delicious!"
Near the castle keep, where the recently popular Hirosaki Seven Cherries (Yaebenishidare, Hirosaki Yukiakari, Azumanishiki, Ukon, Shogetsu, Kanzan, and Fugenzo) bloom, the area was lively with many international tourists taking photographs with Mount Iwaki and the cherry blossoms in the background.
At an izakaya in front of Aomori Station, they were moved by a Tsugaru shamisen performance and the "baptism" of daifuku sweets! After Aomori, the guests continued their journey to a film studio in Tokyo, followed by Kyoto and Osaka.
Click here for more details: Hirosaki Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
My name is Tomohiko Kudo.
I live in Aomori city.
I already visited more than 30 nations so far.
After official retirement from the public officer, I could have the Japanese Government Licensed Guide Certificate and am nowadays very pleased to guide overseas tourists all over the world.
Did you know that the Fuji apple is not from Mt.Fuji…but is actually from Aomori Prefecture’ Fujisaki town. Aomori is proud of the biggest apple product in
Japan. We provide 40 apple-pie restaurants to guests.
Let’s enjoy real Japanese culture and history with me. I would enjoy with you real Samuri history, Kimono culture, local traditional festivals, castle,
Japanese garden, temple, shrine, Japanese tea ceremony, food and Sake.
I often go to the local sea food and vegetable markets and eat fresh foods and would love to show you some secret, hidden restaurants that only Aomori locals know about – let’s go on an adventure together.
If you like sushi and fresh seafood, let me introduce to Nokkedon ?
What is it? Come to Aomori and find out! I am waiting for you.
Jun 2, 2025
413maryannb
Tomohiko organized our day beautifully! The car was immaculate, the driver skilled. We thoroughly enjoyed our day!
Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day…
Jun 2, 2025
413maryannb
Tomohiko organized our day beautifully! The car was immaculate, the driver skilled. We thoroughly enjoyed our day!
Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
Thank you for a great day in Aomori it was our last stop and most memorable! The Cherry
blossoms were beautiful! The Apple tarts divine.
Apr 30, 2025
Jacqueline_F
Great Guide, great tour
Viator review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
We experienced the wonderful sites of Aomori which…
Apr 30, 2025
Jacqueline_F
Great Guide, great tour
Viator review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
We experienced the wonderful sites of Aomori which was a surprise in many ways. Despite
the rainy day we were enchanted by the cherry blossoms in full bloom by the old castle.
Once area was prettier than another. The floats and their history were amazing.
Dec 30, 2024
Scenic33296385055
Warm and professional guide
Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
Mr. Kudo-san is very professional, meticulate and kind…
Dec 30, 2024
Scenic33296385055
Warm and professional guide
Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
Mr. Kudo-san is very professional, meticulate and kind hearted guide. The whole tour I felt like I was travelling with a fried. Me made me comfortable instantly. Very knowledgeable and patient in explaining stuff to me. I am vegetarian and he made sure my needs were met. He went above and beyond. There was a record snowfall in Aomori, taxi’s and buses were busy , we walked all the way and saw everything. I would highly recommend him to anyone wanting an expert and warm guide for Aomori. I whish him all the best.
Aug 3, 2024
Monika R
Fun and informative tour – great tour guide!
Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
We were 3…
Aug 3, 2024
Monika R
Fun and informative tour – great tour guide!
Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
We were 3 generations and all had so much fun with our tour guide Tomohiko. He was very informative and picked interesting places for us to visit including some shrines & museums. He took us to sample some of Aomori’s delicious apples and we had a wonderful lunch in a quint family restaurant. We met some lovely people. It was a fabulous experience we will not forget. Thank you!!